International students are reportedly avoiding studying in the UK. New data published by the UK Home Office shows a huge drop in student visa applications in 2024.

The UK has made several changes to its Immigration Rules affecting ‘Skilled Worker’,’Health and ‘Care Worker’, ‘Sponsored employment’ and ‘Partner’ visas.

From 1 January 2024, international students will not be able to bring dependents, except for postgraduate research courses and government-funded scholarship courses.

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From 4 April 2024, the basic general salary to sponsor for a ‘Skilled Worker’ visa has increased from £26,200 to £38,700, while the ‘continuation rate’ minimum salary specific to each job has also increased significantly. a list works This practice, whereby it was possible to sponsor someone for a ‘Skilled Worker’ visa by reducing the minimum wage, was reduced and renamed the Immigration Wage List.

From 11 April 2024, the minimum income normally required to sponsor someone for a spouse/partner visa has been increased from £18,600 to £29,000. Additionally, from 11 March 2024, social care workers from abroad are no longer allowed to bring their dependents (i.e. partners and children) on their visas.

Applications from ‘sponsored work’ visa main applicants in January-September 2024 (350,700) were 16% lower than in January-September 2023. Between July and September 2024 (peak season), there were 49,000 (16%) fewer applications than in the main season. Applicants compared to the same 3 months of 2023.

Between January and September 2024, there were 17,800 applications from students’ dependents; this was 85% less than January-September 2023. This follows rule changes that came into force in January 2024, preventing students from bringing dependents other than those on postgraduate research courses or studying. State-funded scholarship courses.

The monthly number of Skilled Worker visa applications by main applicants remained generally stable between January 2022 and March 2024, at around 6,000 applications per month. Applications temporarily rose to 10,100 in April 2024, then dropped again to 4,200 in September 2024.

There were 37,900 applications for Skilled Work visas between April and September 2024; This number is 6% more than in the same 6 months of 2023.

Applications for dependents on the Skilled Worker route were generally in line with main applicants. 31,600 applications were submitted between April and September 2024; This is up 14% over the same 6 months of 2023.

Following the addition of care workers to the Shortage Occupation List, the number of monthly Health and Care Worker visa applications from main applicants increased from 4,100 to 18,300 between February 2022 and August 2023. Applications have decreased since August 2023, falling to 2,100 in September 2024.

Following policy changes affecting social care workers and family members, 15,200 applications were made between April and September 2024; this number was 83% less than in the same 6 months of 2023. There were 30,600 claims for dependents on the Health and Care line between April and September. 74% less than the same 6 months of 2024 – 2023.